Choosing a lab coat as a student

For nursing, pharmacy, paramedical and science students, the lab coat is often the first piece of professional clothing you own. It goes on for anatomy classes, skills labs, chemistry practicals and microbiology sessions. A good one is comfortable, covers you properly and survives a lot of washing. A poor one rides up, pulls at the shoulders and turns grey by the second semester.

What a lab coat is for

A lab coat is a protective outer layer worn over your clothes or uniform during practical work. It keeps everyday splashes and dust off what you are wearing and gives a clean, professional look. A standard cotton or poly-cotton lab coat is not specialist chemical or biological protection; for that, follow your college’s lab safety rules and use the protective equipment they provide.

Fit: the most important choice

You will wear the coat over a uniform or clothes, so size for that.

• Shoulders: the seam should sit at or just past your shoulder edge. Too narrow and you cannot reach across a bench.
• Chest: it should button without pulling or gaping, with room for the layer underneath.
• Sleeves: long enough to reach your wrist when your arms are bent forward, but not covering your hands.
• Length: most student lab coats reach around the mid-thigh to knee.

If you are between two sizes, choose the larger. Our size chart gives measurements for each size.

Fabric and weight

Student lab coats are usually poly-cotton. Our lab coat for students and technicians uses a lighter poly-cotton than our doctor coat, which keeps it comfortable in warm Kerala labs and helps it dry faster. For a heavier, longer coat used in clinical work, see the doctor coat.

Pockets and buttons

Look for:

• pockets for a pen, notebook and small instruments,
• buttons that are secure and easy to fasten quickly,
• a front that closes fully, since many labs ask for coats to be buttoned.

How many to buy

One lab coat is enough for many students if practicals are once or twice a week. If you have labs most days, two coats let you wash one while wearing the other. Check your timetable and college list before buying.

Keeping it white

White coats show everything, so routine matters.

• Wash after every few uses, or immediately if splashed.
• Wash with whites only.
• Treat ink and stains early; our post on removing Betadine and ink stains has tips that work on coats too.
• Dry fully, ideally in shade, and iron warm.

Name embroidery

Many students like their name on their coat, partly because coats look identical on a crowded hook. Name embroidery is available on request; if your college has a logo, that is done through a college order.

Wrapping up

Choose a lab coat that fits over your uniform with room at the shoulders, has the pockets you need and is easy to wash. Look after it from the first week and it will last through your course. Our lab coat comes in sizes XS to XXL; measure yourself and pick your size.